Holiday Dog Cookie Recipe: Salivatin’ Cinnamon Apple Nips

Christmas never tasted so good! For your dog, that is.

These Salivatin’ Cinnamon Apple Nips are from the Cooking the Three Dog Bakery Way: “Now the furry little apple of your eye will have yet another reason to love you.”

The book is by Mark Beckloff and Dan Dye, Broadway Books and it’s a good one. Here’s a holiday dog treat recipe that your dogs will love and that makes the whole house smell terrific!

Apples and whole oats are sweetened with a touch of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon that will definitely get your pooch’s full ears-up attention.  They make a great reward for your pup just for being so darn cute!

Salivatin’ Cinnamon Apple Nips

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup quick rolled oats
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ cup canola oil
1/3 cup honey
2 eggs
1 cup cored & diced apple

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Grease two baking sheets with nonstick vegetable spray.

Stir together the flour, oats, baking powder and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside.  In a large bowl, stir together the oil and honey until well blended.  Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring to combine.  Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and stir to form a smooth dough. Fold in the apples.

Drop the dough by the rounded teaspoonful, 1-1/2 inches apart, on the baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden.

Cool to room temperature before serving.

Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months.  (Thaw before serving.)

Reading Is For the Dogs: Tammy’s June Picks

Just in time for Father’s Day -- two great books featuring a dog as the main character, naturally!

I did a review a while back on The Art of Racing in the Rain, but thought I would pass it along again as it is the perfect gift, along with A Dog’s Purpose, for the dog-loving guy in your life…

The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein (Harper)
Jodi Picoult said it much better than I ever could, “The Art of Racing in the Rain is the perfect book for anyone who knows that some of our best friends walk beside us on four legs, that compassion isn’t only for humans, and that the relationship between two souls who are meant for each other never really comes to an end. Every now and then, I’m lucky enough to read a novel I can’t stop thinking about; this is one of them.”

Attention all dog lovers: If there is one book you should read this year, The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Seattle author, Garth Stein, is it. This tale is told from the dog’s point of view on the last day of his life and is simply captivating... I could not put it down and although there were many poignant moments throughout the story, I only cried at the very end and even then, only because their final parting was sweet and touching and the loving bond between Enzo and Denny will never really end.

A Dog’s Purpose: A Novel for Humans, by W. Bruce Cameron (Forge)
All dogs go to heaven, unless they have unfinished business here on Earth. Thus begins the story of Bailey, an endearing mutt, who comes back to earth repeatedly searching for his purpose in life... Bailey’s life really begins when he finds himself in the arms of an eight year old boy, named Ethan.

This story is an emotional, yet hilarious and often heartwarming tale of one special dog…and truly, that one dog, is the dog each and every one of us own.

I loved this book for its touching and funny story and for the way it explores the bond that all dog lovers share with man’s best friend.

Reading is for the Dogs: Tammy’s March Picks

The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein (Harper) is described much better by internationally bestselling author Jodi Picoult than I ever could, “The Art of Racing in the Rain is the perfect book for anyone who knows that some of our best friends walk beside us on four legs, that compassion isn’t only for humans, and that the relationship between two souls who are meant for each other never really comes to an end. Every now and then, I’m lucky enough to read a novel I can’t stop thinking about; this is one of them.”

Attention all dog lovers: If there is one book you should read this year, The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Seattle author, Garth Stein, is it. The tale is told from the dog’s point of view on the last day of his life. It’s simply captivating. I could not put it down and although there were many poignant moments throughout the story, I only cried at the very end and even then, only because their final parting was sweet and touching and the loving bond between Enzo and Denny will never really end.

The Good Behavior Book for Dogs: The Most Annoying Dog Behaviors... Solved! by Collen Paige (Rockport/Quarry) is absolutely filled with terrific information. Aside from dog behavior advice, there are full color photos, recipes, trivia and much more!

From the founder of National Dog Day (it’s in August, by the way) comes the book every dog owner should have!

The Good Behavior Book for Dogs provides illustrated, down-to-earth, practical advice for dog owners with not-so-perfect pups. With an accessible, fun and easy approach, the author helps owners and their dogs learn how to affect proper manners and behavior management in a respectful and loving environment. Dogs will happily engage in the training activities advocated, creating a bridge to happiness, freedom, and friendship between dogs and their people.
No other book addresses the truly weird and sometimes disgusting things your dog does -- inappropriate sniffing, tail chasing, excessive licking, shadow/light chasing, and other unmentionables. Many dog owners who deal with these issues feel ashamed of their dogs' behavior and find it demoralizing to even speak with their vet about them, allowing the behavior to continue and intensify until it is intolerable.

This book will provide dog owners with the instruction and information that will allow them to solve behavior problems that in many cases have resulted in giving up the dog. Training your dog to break undesirable habits doesn’t need to be stressful, or use harsh treatment. Training is an easy way to strengthen the bond between the dog caregiver and dog and, let’s face it; sometimes “bad” dog behavior is funny. The reader will be taken on a sensitive and sometimes comical journey to understand their beloved pooch and get back that “Puppy Love.”

Purchase at: http://www.nationaldogday.com/shop.htm

Reading is for the Dogs: Tammy’s February Picks

A Rare Breed of Love: The True Story of Baby and the Mission She Inspired to help Dogs Everywhere, by Jana Kohl (Fireside/Simon and Schuster) is a beautiful book about a dog named Baby who is a puppy mill survivor. The book has great photos of Baby with celebrities, politicians and animal lovers. When you see the love Baby shows throughout the photos you see that she has not lost her hope in humanity. Baby shows how much love dogs have to give and how much they enrich our lives. I bought this book because of the adorable less than perfect-looking dog on the cover which compelled me to flip through it in Chapters and I couldn’t put it down once I got home.

This is a heartwarming book, full of hope, certain to make you laugh and cry all at the same time and written by Janna as a way to educate people to the suffering inflicted by our fellow humans.

Andy Rooney's quote, “the average dog is a nicer person than the average person” is rather sad but true! Buy this book to share with family and friends who are animal lovers as a wonderful gift... but most of all don't forget to spay and neuter your pets.

Peter’s Poofect Pet by Tina Powell (BigFatPen) is an adorable story that Tina Powell wrote for kids but that will appeal to the dog lover in all of us.

In the story, Peter wants a pet more than anything in the world. But Peter’s parents have a list of reasons why they don't want a pet in the house. Their prime reason? Pets poo!

In this hilarious book about pets, parents and poo, Peter knows just what to do!

Reading Is For the Dogs: Tammy’s January Picks

Do Old Dogs Dream? by Harold J. Creel (Thornton Press) is a tender and humorous must-have book for any dog lover. This collection of poems, photos and pictures all about the canine geriatric set celebrates all dogs lucky enough to reach old age. The baby boomer generation is aging, right alongside our favorite old dogs. Our aging lives are enriched by their grace and candor. The author is donating ALL profits from the sale of this book to the rescue and care of old dogs. See interviews and more on the author’s Facebook page.

Merle’s Door: Lessons From a Free-Thinking Dog by Ted Kerasote (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). This national bestseller explores the bond between humans and their dogs and is truly a wonderful read.

Both of these books are wonderfully written and will make you laugh and cry. Plus they will make you truly appreciate every day with your own dog and all the lessons we unwittingly learn from our very best canine friends.

Happy reading...